Some elders have walked our world for many years; others are young – wise beyond their years. Myia Antone is the latter. Born and raised in Squamish, BC and a proud member of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people, Myia is a young leader who has become a role model for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. Created by, as she says, the mountains, valleys, ocean and wind that her ancestors have occupied for millennia, Myia is a passionate advocate for nature and its ability to heal our societal divides. She’s studied environment and sustainability at the University of British Columbia, investigated community-driven forestry as a tool to balance jobs and conservation, represented youth on Canada 150’s C3 journey across the country’s coastlines and founded Indigenous Women Outdoors, working to eliminate barriers that prevent Indigenous women from connecting to their land and nature.
We asked Myia why she has hope for our future amongst the trees she loves in Xway Xway, also known as Vancouver’s Stanley Park.
Find her: Instagram | LinkedIn
What do you think?
- What lessons will you take from Myia’s story?
- How can we do a better job of listening to the stories of the land?
- Did Myia give you any ideas for how we can advance truth and reconciliation in Canada?
- Do you have hope?